19 November 2015, 21:17
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has commenced practical work to introduce e-Parliament, which foresees more transparency, better communication, introduction of new technologies. Technical re-equipment is underway within the project. Close to 90 million hryvnia will be spent for purchase of necessary equipment and software. The funding will be used, first and foremost, for purchase of equipment, building a fiber-optic network, development of special systems to protect information, as there are reasons to enhance security of State information.
Volodymyr Slyshynskyi, acting head of the Staff of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, told in details about steps to be taken for the technical re-equipment of the Parliament.
Volodymyr Ivanovych [Slyshynskyi], reports have appeared in mass media saying close to 15 million will be spent for Wi-Fi equipment of the Verkhovna Rada?
We have come to the creation of the e-parliament for the first time. This is not only Wi-Fi. This foresees network-attached storage, fiber lines, and computer equipment. For some reasons [media] highlighted the question of Wi-Fi. We have been working far longer than one month to create a system making the job of deputies - adoption of laws, work at draft laws with participation of citizens in the process - more transparent and understood.
Do you think this is a good time to spend this amount of money for re-equipment of the Verkhovna Rada?
Previous procurements of serious equipment took place ten years ago. And Wi-Fi in the session hall appeared then also. Wi-Fi works nowhere else in the Rada. Today there are brand new standards, new approaches. The equipment we have does not meet requirements for providing proper conditions for work of both deputies and journalists. Now we want to replace it by proper professional equipment. Equipment not for households, but professional equipment! If we speak about the session hall, approximately one thousand and five hundred people have to work in the network simultaneously. They are deputies, journalists, assistants. For this reason there are strict requirements toward the equipment to make sure it works smoothly.
That is why a decision has been made to choose equipment of the CISCO firm, which is regarded as the best in the field of network equipment.
Is there a possibility for a situation when prices of certain units of equipment are higher than prices quoted in the Internet, for example?
Firstly, we procure from certified firms. All equipment must be certified also, including in Ukraine. Some equipment does not exist at all and it will be manufactured on an order. Another question is systems of protection, as it concerns the national security of Ukraine. Information must be protected. Therefore, a security system will be developed separately. We cannot allow a situation when the Verkhovna Rada's work stops. Everything must be with enhanced level of security to make it impossible to anybody to wreck the website of the Verkhovna Rada, to reach certain data, etc.
Secondly, we do not procure separate units of equipment, rather we procure an entire system, this includes installment and adjustment. This means additional cost foreseen for the system modernization.
What does this system include in general? Which equipment will be procured?
Those are communicators and routing devices, server hardware and network-attached storage, conference systems, licensed software. There will be an internal system for deputies, their assistants, employees of the Staff, those who have access to internal documents. Each deputy will be able to enter one's database from any PC to work with documents. An external system will be for those who visit premises of the parliament - journalists, for example. This will allow using the Internet. Also, deputies will be provided with remote access to the networks when they work in constituencies.
How many premises will be provided with the new system?
There are 15 administrative buildings in various areas of the city. There are several buildings for Committees around the Parliament. The e-parliament system will cover all 15 buildings.
Does the equipment meet European requirements?
Yes. We consult with specialists before making decisions on installation of a new system. I will tell secretly that our system will be even better in some aspects than those functioning in European parliaments.
Why did there appear a problem with the "secret" prices?
There are certain terms set by the laws for publishing information. A decision is made, then it is signed, and then it is published. Now this information is made public on all websites, the State Procurements, and on the website of the Verkhovna Rada. Everything was in keeping with the law. Moreover, when the tender was being held, there was the Rada TV channel, and journalists were filming everything. I appreciate the desire of journalists to monitor whether public funds are used correctly, but at the same time I would like to urge journalists to be more attentive during the work with information. From my side I am always ready to give some additional information when necessary. Openness is the new style of the work of the Staff of the Verkhovna Rada and we will keep to it.